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Use of a Falling-Weight Tester for Assessing Ceramic Impact Strength

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jonathan Mabry ,
James M. Skibo ,
Michael B. Schiffer  and
Kenneth Kvamme
Jonathan Mabry
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Traditional Technology, Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
James M. Skibo
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Traditional Technology, Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
Michael B. Schiffer
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Traditional Technology, Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
Kenneth Kvamme
Affiliation:
Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
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Abstract

A falling-weight device was developed for testing ceramic impact strength. Tests carried out on a large sample of commercial tiles showed that the incremental height test, wherein drop height is raised gradually, is the most reliable. In order to assess the accuracy of the test, an additional experiment was performed on laboratory-made briquettes fired at 550, 650, 750, 850, and 950 °C. In contrast to the results of Bronitsky and Hamer's (1986) pendulum test (but in conformity with general principles of ceramic engineering), the present study found a strong correlation between firing temperature and impact strength. It is concluded that the falling-weight device provides a simple, accurate, and reliable test for ceramic impact strength.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 53 , Issue 4 , October 1988 , pp. 829 - 839
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1988

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References

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